Kent Portney's "Our Green Cities" Blog

Corky Overmyer Leaves Sustainability Post in Grand Rapids

I got a nice note a few weeks ago from Corky Overmyer, who recently left his position as director of sustainability in Grand Rapids.  Corky has been a real innovator for sustainability in the city.  I know that his departure seems to have been at least in part a product of the tough economic times.  Grand Rapids had a unique mechanism for funding this position -- it was actually funded by a water company with which the city had a contract.  When the city elected not to renew the contract with that company, the funding for the position basically went away.  I haven't heard much of anything about what this might imply for the serious sustainability efforts that have been under way in Grand Rapids, so if you have some ideas, insights, or knowledge about this, please let us know here.

Grand Rapids Magazine

If you are interested in keeping up with progress toward sustainability in Grand Rapids, check out the latest (April 2008) issue of Grand Rapids magazine.  There is a terrific cover story called "Green and Greener" by Tanya Schafer on how much progress the city and West Michigan have made in recent years. 
Click on this link to see the online story in Grand Rapids Magazine

Follow up to the Grand Rapids Conference

Norman Christopher forwarded to me this story about the conference in Grand Rapids that I mentioned back on June 28.  Take a look at the story at:
http://www.rapidgrowthmedia.com/features/sustain6307.aspx

Summit on Sustainability in Grand Rapids

For those of you who are interested in what's going on in Grand Rapids, you might take a look at "The Community Sustainability Partnership Summit on "Elevating Environmental Integrity" to be held on July 11.  I have included a copy of the general invitation here. Download invitation_july.pdf

One of the highlights of the summit will be a talk by Toronto Mayor David Miller.  Of course, Toronto has been a real sustainability leader in North America.  I wish I could attend this summit, but will try to report on the proceedings sometime in late July.